Bearing Inspection

Source Qualification Inspection (SQI) is an inspection process that is carried out to validate and qualify new suppliers through a series of independent bearing inspections. This empirically derived, unbiased SQI program is used by companies in a variety of industries to ensure design integrity, manufacturing capabilities, and workmanship quality among various suppliers. This in-depth look into bearing stress levels helps to ensure effective bearing performance.

Resultant data enables an OEM to verify the bearing manufacturers design and manufacturing characteristics leading to time and cost savings via elimination of potential field replacement costs. The SQI is also a validation inspection where a bearing has been modeled in application but not yet tested. Enhanced SQI data can provide a further in-depth bearing stress profile through access to an extensive series of available models. This data assists in the procurement of an “ideal bearing” for a given application.

The industrial bearing equivalent to the FAA-PMA reverse engineering program, SQI allows OEM’s to understand why the baseline supplier is effective and what characteristics ensure the bearing performs effectively in a particular application.

Many bearing manufacturers and distributors have found Source Qualification Inspection very helpful in gaining information about bearings they are offering through their own supply chain. Whatever area of the bearing industry you occupy, SQI can provide value and insight needed to achieve success in your operation.

The dimensional inspection program offers an extensive characteristic overview and analysis of the bearing. This process can determine if a manufacturers standard product meets higher ABEC standards. Carter is equipped to handle any and all bearing inspection needs. Inspections may include but are not limited to:

• Boundary Dimensions
• Contact Angle
• Endplay
• Paired Bearing Preload/Endplay
• Raceway Curvature
• Radial Clearance
• Running Accuracy
• Surface Contours
• Surface Finish
• True Position of mounting holes

Bearing failure analysis offers customers a complete breakdown of why the bearing failed in application. Through an extensive failure analysis inspection Carter can determine if the problem is system related and not specific to the bearing. With our microscopic capability and sophisticated dimensional inspection equipment our engineers can accurately determine the condition of the product and its wear characteristics. The detailed reports provided by our failure analysis program have successfully helped many industries identify failure characteristics and alleviate failure re-occurrence. The Failure Analysis Request Form outlines the procedures for proper investigation during disassembly and product packaging for shipment.

One of our more comprehensive inspection programs is the reverse engineering of Typed Certified aircraft ball and roller bearings for PMA-FAA Certification. Bearing manufacturers and suppliers that were not originally integrated into an aircraft at the point of original design must obtain an independent PMA from the FAA.

PMA-FAA bearing reverse engineering is a method for ensuring that commercial aircraft replacement bearings can meet or exceed the same rigorous quality, design and performance standards as those originally specified. To support these requirements, a team of highly experienced engineers and technicians perform a thorough physical evaluation of aircraft bearings, using highly specialized equipment and data analysis tools. The end product is an accurate and detailed analysis which provides aerospace bearing manufacturers and suppliers with all of the necessary PMA-FAA certification inspection data, as well as added assurances that its aircraft bearing manufacturing meets or exceeds supplier standards for form, fit and function.

Our professionally trained bearing engineers and technicians will perform a thorough physical evaluation of OEM bearing providing you with all necessary inspection data for FAA approval and product manufacturing that meets or exceeds OEM standards for form, fit and function. Our experience and sophisticated equipment provides you with accurate, detailed inspection data leading to your PMA approval.

A first article inspection (FAI) is a design verification, design history file and a formal method of providing a reported measurement for a given manufacturing process. The evaluation method consists of independently comparing the bearing manufacturers results by measuring the properties and geometry of an initial sample item against given specifications and drawings. Dimensions and details that are checked and verified are wide and varied and may include distances between edges, positions of holes, diameters and shapes of holes, weight, density, stiffness, colour, hardness or surface finish.

Despite the name, the inspected article may not necessarily be the ‘first’ produced, but a random sample of 3 parts from the first lot provided to the customer. First article inspection is typically called for in a purchase order contract between the bearing manufacturer and the customer of some manufactured article, both perform the First Article inspection to ensure that the production process reliably produces what is intended, design verification of the print, and is part of the purchasing, and design control requirements.

The importance of first article inspection has been overlooked by some bearing manufacturing plants in recent years. Because of these plants streamlining their services to customers, they have limited their capacity to perform first article inspections necessary for certain critical order applications. Carter Manufacturing recognizes this need and is capable of performing first article inspections to customer requirements and/or AS9102 standards with or without material specification and special process accountability.

In many of our standard inspection programs material evaluation and testing is an important aspect of ensuring the bearing performs to expectations. Bearings that have not been tested and inspected for material conformance stand risk of premature failure which could have dire consequences and be very costly.

Typical evaluations include:

• Hardness
• Magnetic Particle Inspection
• Material Chemistry
• Microstructure
• SEM/EDS Analysis
• Surface Temper Inspection
• X-Ray Diffraction

Condition analysis supports the examination of wear characteristics in new product development and also resolves issues associated with system design. Condition analysis is a component of CAR-Condition Analysis Reclamation. Carter’s industrial bearing Condition Analysis Reclamation (CAR) program provides customers with the highest quality recondition bearings. Through Condition Analysis Reclamation the reconditioned bearing can achieve 87 to 99 percent of the life of a new bearing. Throughout various inspection and reconditioning processes each of these levels is achieved.

• Reclamation
• Refurbishment
• Restoration
• Remanufacture